The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1887-10-15


"Here are your keys, Uncle; which
one fits the desk"
"This one," he said, turning tho
bunch.
Belle opened the desk, and said:
aWhat is it you want, Uncle :''
"Look in that pigeon hole In the
corner; there arc two papers,
eyes here they are," said Belle.
uRead tho date on the back"
"This one,'' said Belle, ''bears date |
September End and this one, Septem-
ber 10th. What else do you want?'
"Takc that first ono and throw 1t in
the fire. Let me see 1t burn with my !
eyes, / once thought 1 would keep |
both OF them, but I've changed my
mipd.'
Belle stood still with the two papers
in her hands.
SNAKE haste, child" sasped the old
man. "I'm dying"
80, no, dear Uncle, you're not dy-
ing. o, you must not die" cried Beiie,
seeking to divert his attention from
the two papers.
fThrow that first paper in the lire"
he said, tell you. Why don't you
obey me? Be quick, / say"
"Uncle Joe," said Belle deliberately,
81 fear you are not in your right mind.
This paper may be of some Importance.
May be, it ought not to be burned
"Give it to me-" he cried.
"What is it, Uncle?" cool'y asked
Belle, noticing the deadly pallor which
was spreading over his face.
at is none of your business, what it
is.''
eyes, it is, Uncle. Suppose throw
it in tho fire, and hereafter search
should he made for it, what would
doc"
uYou tell Mr.. Merton that l cons
manded you to burn it-that's ALL"
cpd rather not take such responsi>
bility, Uncle"
The old man looked sternly at her,
as dreadful suspicion seemed to creep
into his mind.
els it possible" he exclaimed clench-
ing his hands In desperation, 81 cannot
have my way in my cWn house? Will
You throw it in the fire, or must get
up from here, and take 1t from you ~
"Why do you want to burn this pa
per, Uncle ?"
.tDo you know what it is:'
"FIow should know?"
"Wilt you burn that paper, or not 20
, "Why have you never destroyed 1t
before now, Uncle?''
81 see that you will not obey me, "
said the old man. "Swear that you
will give both to Mr.. Merton"
81 am not going to do any such
, thing" said Belle firmly. 81 don't
, propose to take charge OF your papers, u
= 90, good heavens cried the old man
! in despair, "what a miserable wretch
You've been reading those papers. ]
3 see it all. You arc trying to thwar'
: my purpose. But you shall not do it
t Q, Mary! Mary! come here be quick, ,
: But his voice sank almost to a whisper
, He looked wildly at his niece, as sht
= stood, holding The papers in her hands
g elf you attempt to defeat my purpose,
- spoke the invalid in a tono scarel!
y audible, sand you manage to get con
troll of my property, n,oy ic 2,rore (
t, c,u;sc to you. 1 had no idea you wer
Is such sneak. You have secretly ex
It amined my papers, and have ascer
- tanned my Intentions, and you ar
,r going to try to defeat them."
- CHOW can I, Uncle? You have mad
It your will when you were in your rigll
n mind, and now you ask me to destro
e. 1t. 1 cannot take such a responsibility.
ar "What base hypocrite you are !!
10 hissed the old man. 81 sec it all nov
,e / don't know what made me keep bot
a those papers. But never mind. Ifyo
h. are not very smart you'll be overtake
n yet. Don't you see there were wi
I'd nesses: Mr.. Merton knows all abor
ne it, too. He'll prosecute you, and YOU
he bs sent to the penitentiary as you d'
of serve to be-"
er "What for, Uuc!es What have
ee done?"
ed "Nothing yet, but your intentio,
re are to do wrong. You are going
as rob-yes, ,o6! How can 1 stand it!
he viii! get up and-kill you 4"
it HYou can't get up, Uncle. Lie dow
he aud rest" said Belle, noticing that
ng was raising himself.
Il "Lic down and die ?" he said 18th
f." is what you desire me to do. My cir
,m re on you!! l am dying, l tell 70
ID, Call your mother and Mary"
ng He fell back heavily upon his p
,ht low. There was a gurgling sound
I'VE his throat, and all was over. Belle
me tieved him to bo dead, and she trel
ed. bled. In a moment she locked t
to desk, slipped the keys under her u
her c!e's pillow, without daring TO look
him, and going to the door scream
ro- as loudly as she could. Mrs. Bradtei
ith and Mary were aroused aud came ru
,ws ing into the room.
n - a. ; Do